The shift towards efficient and sustainable lithium processing is driven by the growing global demand for lithium-ion battery production and recycling, primarily for electric vehicles. To optimize operational effectiveness and meet demands for the highest quality lithium battery materials, KSS employs the Li-PRO™ Process, a series of specialized separation steps for lithium extraction and refinement. Advanced sorption technology is used to achieve direct lithium extraction (DLE) from brines. Membrane filtration and ion exchange are utilized in pretreatment and downstream refining, concentration, and conversion, supporting the production of high-purity lithium battery materials. In addition, for operations leaching lithium from solid mineral sources, our acid purification technology supports the recovery of leaching acids. Our Li-PRO solution allow lithium processors to leverage synergistic technologies, provided in an integrated system package from a single source, to achieve optimal performance and efficiency.
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KSS ultrafiltration (UF) membrane technology offers an excellent solution for pretreatment of brine. Our membrane product features a reinforced PVDF hollow fiber membrane and an innovative single-potting design to reduce buildup of fiber sludge. The membrane system offers an optimized design to lower operating and capital costs and produce high-quality effluent.
Pretreatment
Pretreatment of source brine to remove solid contaminants.
Our approach to lithium selective sorption combines decades of ion exchange and sorption technology experience to achieve Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE). This extraction method results in increased lithium recovery, higher purity product, and overall improvements in extraction performance and efficiency.
Direct Lithium Extraction
Highly selective sorption media beds typically recover over 95% of lithium found in source brines.
Ion exchange technology is employed downstream of the DLE step to further polish and purify the brine and remove contaminants from leaching acid to achieve a recoverable and reusable process acid.
Softening
Continuous removal of dissolved divalent and other ionic contaminants.
Acid Purification
Continuous removal of dissolved metals from leaching acid for purification and recovery.
Reverse osmosis (RO) membrane technology produces a concentrated final lithium chloride product for use in lithium battery production.
Concentration
Concentration of diluted LiCl prior to evaporation and crystallization.
